The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-09
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular oorresp ondent.l

WASHlNdTUN LbTTkh
From our Regular corresp pondent.l
WAsHINeToN. D. G., Dec. 0, 1887.
Probably your readers are not aware
of the immense quantities of mail mat.
ter distributed throughout the country
by the Government at Washington.
To give them some faint conception of
it's magnitude, il is only necessary to
mention the fact that the United States
mail sent out from the Interior De-
parment alone, averages in weight
5000 pounds daily. But all told, the
Government perhaps distributes about
10000 pounds daily, especially during
the season, when "publc documents"
are being scattered broad cast through
out the land by members OF Congress
who do not wish their constituents to
forget them during their stay at the
capital. Perhaps another thing that
few persons, except the losers them
selves, ever think of, is the amount of
money lost in the mails Last year
S27,6S7 was found in dead letters, of
which amount S22,639 was restored to
the owners; $6,672 thus found, could
not be returned, aud was deposited in
the Treasury to the credit of the Gov
ernment likewise the sum of $2,721,
the proceeds of auction sales of un-
claimed packages of merchandise,
found in the mails.
Postmaster General Villas is certain
ly to be congratulated upon his master
ly and successful management of the
great Department committed to his
charge, for his annual report shows the
most gratifying results. The revenues
of the Department have gained over
the preceding year nearly S4,S4O,O0O,
which may be termed the high water
mark, while the disbursements increas
ed but little more than two million
dollars two years since, under the
Republican regime, the deficiency was
100000. This sum has been reduced
nearly three fourths under economical
Democratic administration, and if the
present ratio of reduction continues a
few months, the deficiency will disap-
pear entirely.
If the Democracy had lone nothing
else to win the support and confidence
of the country, their management of
the public lands and of the postal
affairs of the nation entities the party
to a new lease of power. Both Score.
tary Fairchild and Comptroller Turn
holm make two very important recon-
mendations 10 their reports-the former
urging upon Congress the need OF en-
acting a fire proof hall for the better
protection of perishable Government
records--the latter proposing to Con-
gress the codification of the bank laws;
that the Comptroller is earnestly in
favor of his scheme is shown by his
sending letter to each Congressman,
fully explaining its provisions.
A Treasury statement shows that
for the month of November there was
a net increase of S2,36O,667 in the cir
cuation and net increase of S8,871,
TAG in the amount of cash in the Treas
ury. The increase in circulation was
in silver certificates, gold coin, standard
silver dollars, and subsidiary silver in
the order named.
Chief Justice Waite of the United
States Supreme Court, celebrated his
list birthday last week. Four Su.
preme Justices-Waite, Field, Miller
and Bradley-could some time since
have laid aside the judicial robes and
retired on salaries of $4,000 each the
balance of their lives, yet these bale
OLD men present the rare and refresh
ing spectacle of working everyday,
when they might receive the very SAM
pay for doing nothing. Each Supreme
Justice is entitled to q private secre-
tary at 1890 year, and / believe
all of them avail themselves of the
privilege except the venerable Chief
Justice, who saws such an official at.
tachment would only be in his way.
Secretary Lamar's age (he was so
last September) is urged as a serious
objection by some against his transfer
to the Bench, as since the Court wa
organized, only two Justices of that
advanced age have been appointed.
But Mr.. Lamar, his friends say, is
good for ten years service.
Washington is now crowded with
the floating population who dance at
tendance upon the coming and the GO
ing of Congress, and of course all such
individuals have some personal object
in view. There are the lobbyists,
male aud female, the office seekers of
both sexes, and great army of cranks
crooks aud Adventures who are WOO
ing fame aud fortune.
The deliberations of the Democratic
Caucus resulted, as you have seen by
telegraph, about as have indicated
in this correspondence, though it is
much to be regretted that the excite
ment engendered in the canvass for
doorkeeper of the House precipitated
personal conflict between two of the
members, which after the passion OF
the moment had passed, was honorably
aud amicably adjusted
1t is thought that Mr.. Lamar's nomi-
nation for Supreme Justice will be
sent to the Senate this week, but it is
not PROBABLE that he will assume the
duties of the position until after the
holidays, as there are many matters in
the Interior Department demanding
his attention.
A Boy CRIMINALS Jump.